COMSTOCK STREET City authorizes contract for project

The project is funded by state money and block grants.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A long-awaited road project in the northwestern portion of the city has cleared another hurdle.
City council approved last year an ordinance authorizing the contract for the Comstock Street Northwest paving and storm sewer project. The project is being funded through state Issue 2 and city Community Development Block Grant money.
The city opened bids for the project last week and Miller-Yount Paving Inc. of Cortland submitted the lowest bid at $779,578.64.
"We sent a letter to the board of control recommending that the contract be awarded to the low bidder," said William Totten, director of the engineering, planning and building department.
The board of control consists of Mayor Michael J. O'Brien and Safety-Service Director Doug Franklin.
The project involves installation of storm sewers, curbs and sidewalks, and asphalt paving, Totten said. The project runs from North Park Avenue to Mahoning Avenue Northwest.
Construction will start after the contract is awarded and weather cooperates.
"I talked to them [the company] Friday and they're anxious to get going," Totten said. "After the contract is awarded, we'll schedule a pre-construction meeting."
Residents have been waiting
Councilman Alford L. Novak, D-2nd, whose ward includes the road, said residents have been waiting for the project for years.
It was scheduled to go a few years ago, but Issue 2 money didn't come through and council voted to reappropriate the block grants for sidewalks and lighting downtown on Main and West Market streets.
Novak expects the project to help with flooding problems that affect the area during heavy rainfall.
"The road is 3 inches higher than everything else," he said.
That causes yards and driveways to flood during heavy rain.
denise_dick@vindy.com